Visit our performer lineup page for more about the entertainment!
Thank you to Maroba Builders LLC, the Polacek family, The William Penn Association, Air Management Inc., AmeriServ, Robert Ramos of Wealth Management Partners, and ProVia. Additional sponsors include Croatian Hall, First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association, Rich Yeager, Somerset Trust Co., Gary Madia Insurance Agency, Steven Krawick, Gibson-Thomas, Johnstown Rotary Club, Wessel & Company, National Slovak Society, Croatian Fraternal Union of America, Johnstown West End Lions Club, Group Genesis LLC, Slovenian Savings & Loan, State Farm, Hilltop Office Supply, Associates Benefit Corp., and SNPJ Lodge No. 174.
Friday, September 16
The Heritage Discovery Center/Johnstown Children’s Museum will be open and FREE all day on Friday, from 10:00 am-8:00 pm. Friday festival hours are 4:00-10:00 pm.
Main Stage
Courtyard Stage
Saturday, September 17
The Heritage Discovery Center/Johnstown Children’s Museum will be open and FREE all day on Saturday, from 10:00 am-6:00 pm. Saturday festival hours are noon-9:30 pm.
Main Stage
Courtyard Stage
All presentations will take place on Saturday, September 17 inside the Heritage Discovery Center’s first-floor education center.
1:00-2:00 — Rick Vukmanic: Croatians — Who We Are and Where We Come From. Rick Vukmanic grew up in the Croatian culture of Steelton, one of the earliest sites for Croatian immigration in Pennsylvania. A longtime member and then director of the Kolo Club “Marian” dance ensemble, Rick has long been a teacher and student of the complex and sometimes conflicting history of the Croatian people. He has studied with several noted experts of Croatian folklore and customs in the US and Croatia. He is particularly fascinated by the ongoing development of folk culture within the Croatian diaspora and has authored several journal articles detailing this process. Additionally, Rick has established contacts with Croatian communities in Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Romania. Rick is excited to be attending our festival and sharing his knowledge, and creating a dialog with those who attend.
2:15-3:15 — Traditional Music of Ukraine. Members of Gerdan will share music traditions of Ukraine from West to East. They’ll discuss and demonstrate the many instruments from the Carpathian mountains, including folk flutes and violin. You’ll hear about instrumental music and songs from Ukraine and Eastern Europe, vocal techniques and styling, as well as the cultural settings. Of special interest is the cultural intersection of the genres: how polka got intertwined with Brazilian Samba! Dance will be worked into the program and taught in addition to songs.
3:30-4:30 — Donna Vranesevic: Srpske Narodne Nosnje Serbian Folk Costumes. Donna will share the costumes from different regions of Serbia. Costumes will be displayed, and the differences of the ethnographic regions will be discussed and explained.
The cooking demonstrations will take place on Saturday, September 17 in the Galliker’s Cafe, which is accessible inside the Heritage Discovery Center courtyard.
1:30 pm: Cheryl Chovanec – Pig in a blanket casserole
2:30 pm: Brian Shustrick – Pelmeni Ukrainian dumplings
3:30 pm: Georgette Brnilovich – Burek (meat or cheese filled pastry from Serbia)